Lead-pencil.



No. 653,733. Patented .Iuly I7, I900. P. A. HAGY.

LEAD PENCIL.

(Application filed Feb. 7. 1900) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL ALTHOUSE HAGY, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

LEAD-PENCIL.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 653,733, dated July 17,1900.

Application filed February 7, 1900. Serial No. 4,313. (No model.)

To all whom it may GUN/6677b.

Be it known that I, PAUL ALTHOUSE HAGY, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residin g at Reading, in the county of Berks and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements inLead-Pencils, of which .the following is a full and completespecification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to lead-pencils of that class which embody alongitudinallymovable lead or graphite strip and means for forcing thesame into operative position at the front end of the penoi The object ofmy invention is to provide a simple and improved lead-pencil of thischar acter which can be manufactured at a comparatively-smalleXpense,can be conveniently operated, and will effectively perform allthe offices for which it is intended.

In the accompanying drawings,for1ning part of this specification, inwhich like reference characters denote like parts in the several views,Figure 1 is a side view of a pencil embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal sectional view showing the pencil with one of itsbisections adjusted forwardly and illustrating the first movement in theoperation of feeding the lead. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional viewillustrating the con- .dition of the parts when the bisections have beenreturned to their normal position and the lead remains in its advancedposition. Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on the line4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the body or barrel of thepencil, which is divided into sections which are longitudinally slidablewith relation to each other and collectively inclose the lead orgraphitestrip B. The body A preferably consists of two longitudinal sections,one of which I will term the upper section, as represented at 0, whilethe other I term the lower section, (represented at d.) These bisectionsc and 61 may be secured .together in any suitable or adapted mannerwhich will enable a longitudinal slid-able movement relatively in amanner hereinafter described; but I prefer to employan ordinary dovetailconnection, which may be formed by a longitudinal tongue 6 on thesection 0 entering a longitudinal groove f in the section d. (See Fig.4.) are respectively provided with semi boresor grooves at the center ofthe body A, as at g and h, respectively, ,(see Fig. 4,) which conjointlyform a longitudinal bore, in which the lead or graphite strip 13 iscontained. The bore thus conjointly formed by the bisections c and (1corresponds in its transverse contour to the cross-sectional contour ofthe lead or graphite strip B, and both the lead and said bore arepreferably of cylindrical contour in cross-section, though they may beof any other suitable or adapted form. The baseline of the tongue 6 andgroovef of the bisections 0 and d is preferably on a plane whichintersects a central transverse plane through the lead B, as shown inFig. 4:, which relative construction and arrangement is best adapted forthe employment of the cylindrical lead or graphite and is conducive tothe great est strength in this connection and best frictionallead-retention results in the operation of the pencil.

It will be understood that the lead or graphite is frictionallymaintained within its bore, which is formed conjointly by therelativelyslidable bisections c and d, and that the frictional contactof the surface of said lead or graphite with the bore-surface will besuffi- I cient to prevent the lead from dropping out from the bore atthe front or pointed end of the pencil. In this connection the dovetailjoint, as herein illustrated and described, between the bisections c andd enables in practical manufacture an effective relative adjustment bywhich this frictional retention of the lead can be effected without anyoccasion forthe provision of supplementary means for preventing the leadfrom being dropped from its bore in the stem or body of the pencil. Thecombination, with the frictionallyretained lead or graphite, of twoinitiallyseparable and relatively-slidable bisections which conjointlyform the bore for the lead will, for instance, enable the employment ofa lead of slighly-larger diameter than the normal diameter of the bore,whereby positive friction will be insured when the bisections areconnected together with the lead in position; but this relative size andarrangement The bisections c and d.

would be impossible in connection with a sliding lead or graphite stripcontained within a pencil-bore if the body of the pencil were of a solidconstruction and not made up of relatively-slidable sections.

It will be understood that the bore opens at the front end of the penciland that the lead or graphite normally projects from the bore at saidfront end. This front end may be sharpened or tapered, as represented at2', which sharpening or tapering may be initially provided in themanufacture of the pencil, or said sharpening of the body or barrel endmay be initially done by the user in themdinary manner, or the pencilmay be sharpened at'any time in the ordinary manner, if desired, withoutin any way affecting its operation or function as a self-feeding andself-sharpening pencil.

In the bore of the pencil, in rear of the lead or graphite strip, isprovided a device whereby the lead or graphite when it is advanced intoprojecting position at the front end of the pencil will be retainedagainst inward movement or displacement. This stop device preferablyconsists of a spring-clip J, formed of wire, as herein shown, andembodying a central loop is, the ends of which project divergentlyoutwardly and rearwardly, as at l. The spring-clip, as herein shown anddescribed, performs a double office. It not only prevents the returnmovement of the lead or graphite strip, but it is also the means wherebythe lead is pushed forward or advanced when the bisection c is movedforward, said clip being moved by said bisection to cause it to bearupon the rear end of the lead and carry the same forward in a movementcorresponding to that made by the clip. The spring-clip is entirelyretained within the pencil-bore, and to prevent turning of the clipwithin the bore the points of the loop ends Z are respectivelyaccommodated in longitudinal grooves, as at m and n, formed in the wallsof the semibores gand hof the bisections a and d,which grooves are in adiametrically-opposite relative position and in which the ends Z Z willbe retained during the advancing movement of the clip. The grooves m andn preferably terminate at a point within the pointed or tapered body end2'; but they may, if desired, extend entirely through the bore at thefront end. The points of the clip ends Zare preferably pointed,as at0,whereby they will effectively engage the respective bisections in theoperation of the pencil, as hereinafter described.

To insure a uniform registering position between the bisections when,after having been relatively slid in the position illustrated in Fig. 2,they are returned to normal position, as represented in Fig. 3, Iprovide, preferably upon the under bisection d, a stop means whereby thereturn slidable movement of the upper section 0 will be governed. Thisstop means may consist simply of a pin P, of rightangular construction,having one arm or tang driven into the rear end of the bisection d,

as at q, while its main portion will project upwardly and transverselywith respect to the rear end of the pencil and form a stop, againstwhich the rear end of the upper bisection 0 will contact when saidsection is returned to the position illustrated in Fig. 3.

The bisections may be constructed of wood or any other suitable oradapted material, and I may provide upon the upper section a aprojecting pin or end piece, as shown at T, which will project withinthe bore and grooves m and n and close the end of the same in rear ofthe clip J; but this piece ris not essential to the effective operationof my improved pencil.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood.

When the end of the lead or graphite projecting at the front end of thepencil is worn or broken or for any other reason it is desired toproject the lead, it is simply necessary to relatively slide thebisections so that the bisection 0 moves forwardly with respect to thebisection d. This movement may be accomplished by simply placing thethumb on the upper section 0 and the fingers on the lower section d andthen pushing the thumb forward and carrying the fingers backward,whichwill relatively slide said bisections so that one is advanced upon theother. In the movement just described one projecting end Z of thespring-clip will securely engage the upper bisection 0 and the clip willbe carried forward with said section, in which movement the other endZof the clip will slide over the lower bisection d, because the latteris moving in a direction which is not against the spring. In theadvancing movement of the clip just described it bears against the rearend of the lead or graphite strip and of course carries the same forwardin a corresponding advancing movement, so that the front end of the leadis projected to the desired extent at the front end of the pencil-body.(See Fig. 2.)

It is now desirable to return the bisections to their normal relativeposition, as represented in Fig. 3, it being necessary to bring theupper section 0 rearwardly upon the lower section d. This return slidingmovement of the section 0 may be accomplished by simply moving the thumbbackwardly. In this movement one end Z of the clip will firmly engagethe under section d, while the other end I of the clip will slide overthe upper section c, inasmuch as the direction of movement of said uppersection is not then against the spring. The return of the section 0 isstopped at its proper normal position by the pin or stop means Pupon thelower section d. When the movement just above described has beencompleted, the lead or graphite is projected in a normal manner at thefront of the pencil and the spring-clip J remains in the posi'- tion towhich it has been advanced and bears against the rear end of the lead,thus efiectstates undesired advancing movement of the lead is preventedby its frictional engagement with the bore, as hereinbefore fully setforth. It

is only necessary to repeat the simple slidable operation, as juststated, when it is desired to again advance the lead.

It will be noted that in the practical operation of the pencil thespring-clip is adapted by its features of construction and relativearrangement with respect to the bisections to operate in an alternatemanner, first engagin g one bisection and then en gaging the otherbisection, (as they are relatively slid in the complete operation ofadvancing the lead,) so that said clip is advanced in a series ofalternate step movements and carries the lead with it. If myimprovedpencil is used in connection with a metallic ferrule at its rear end forthe purpose of holding a rubber eraser or when any other cap device isused at said rear end,the stop means carried upon thelower section atfor the limitation of the return movement of the upper section 0 willnot benecessary, said auxiliary end device being adapted to perform thefull olfices of such stop means. This stop means is not absolutelynecessary to the effective operation of the pencil in the movement foradvancing the lead, and it may be entirely dispensed with, if desired;butI prefer to employ it as a means of closure for the rear end of thebore of the pencil to protect the clip and bore from accumulations ofdust or other matter from the pocket, and in like manner the end piece rupon the upper section 0 would serve to always keep said bore clear fromaccumulation of dust or other matter by reason of the fact that itintersects the bore and guide-grooves and would partially clean the samein a return movement of the upper section 0.

It will be noted that my improved pencil is virtually a self-sharpeningpencil, it being merely necessary to relatively slide the sections ofthe body to advance the lead into operative position, and it furtheravoids any necessity or occasion for sharpening the wooden body of thepencil. The general construction and arrangement of my improved pencilare such that it is entirely unnecessary to remove or cut any parts,such as the peeling off of paper or the dislodgment ofsharpeningsections,in the operation of sharpening. However, if desired,the sectional wooden body of my improved pencil may be cut or pointed inthe ordinary manner with a knife, and by simply resting the end of thelead or graphite against the thumb or a suitable support the projectingportion thereof may be sharpened or pointed in the usual manner. Thedevice is exceedingly simple and inexpensive and is adapted for mosteffective and convenient operation in use.

I do not desire to be understood as restricting myself to the exactdetails of construction and arrangement as herein shown and described,it being manifest that various modifications may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention. I therefore reservethe right to all such variations or modifications in the various partsor in the general construction and arrangement as properly fall withinthe scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims. It isto be understood that any core of writing material, whether lead,graphite, crayon, or other material, may be employed, according to thepurpose of the pencil.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body made upof sections relatively slidable with respect to each other and having abore, a lead or graphite strip slidable in said bore and unsecured tothe body sections, and means for operating said lead in an advanc ingmovement by the sliding movement of one of said body-sections withrelation to the lead.

2. An improved lead-pencil, comprising the body made up of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leador graphite strip slidably operating in said bore, and means containedwithin the bore in rear of said lead or graphite and operating toadvance the latter, said means having an operative connection with theslidable body-sections.

3. An improved pencil, comprising a body made up of sections relativelyslidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a lead orgraphite strip slidably mounted in said bore, and means carried by oneof said sliding body-sections and projecting therefrom into engagementwith the lead.

4. An improved lead-pencil comprising a body made up of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leador a graphite strip slidable in said bore, and unsecured to thebody-sections, means for operating said lead in advancing movement bythe sliding movement of one of said body-sections with relation to thelead, and means for retaining the lead in advanced position independentof the return movement of said slidable body member.

5. In a lead-pencil of the class described, a body formed of bisectionsslidably mounted and connected by a dovetailjoint the base line of whichintersects the bore for the lead or graphite; and means whereby the leador graphite may be moved by said slidable sections.

6. In a lead-pencil of the class described, a body formed of bisectionshaving a relative sliding movement with respect to each other andconnected by a longitudinal dovetail joint, each of said sections havinga semi groove or bore whereby the bore for the lead or graphite isformed and the base of said dovetail connection intersects a transverseplane comprised within said bore, and means whereby the lead orgraphitemay be moved by said slidable sections, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

ICC

r 7. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leador graphite strip mounted in said bore, and means intervening the twoslidable sections and adapted to alternately engage said slidablebody-sections and carry said lead in its advancing movement.

8. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leadslidably mounted within said bore, means contained within said bore andadapted to be operated by said sliding body-sections to advance thelead, and means for guiding said advancing means in its operative travelwithin the bore.

9. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a .body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leador strip of graphite slidably mounted in said bore, said sectionshavinglongitudinal guide-grooves on their interiors and intersectingsaid bore, and a device operating in said bore in an advancing movementby action of said sliding body members and projecting Within saidgrooves and guided thereby.

10. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leador graphite strip slidably mounted in said bore, and a spring devicearranged within the bore and alternately engaging said slidablebody-sections in a series of steps for the advancement of the lead.

11. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable with respectto each other, a lead or graphite stripinclosed by said sections and operatively slidable Within the same, andindependent means bearing against said lead and engaging the slidingsections in a series of steps corresponding to the successive slidingmovement of said sections.

12. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable and reciprocating with respect to each other andhaving a bore, a lead or graphite strip having a slidable operativemovement Within said bore, and a device bearing against the lead andhaving divergent engaging means adapted to engage the reciprocatingbodysections on their advancing stroke and to release the same on theirreturn stroke.

13. An improved pencil, comprising a body formed of sections relativelyslidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a lead orgraphite strip slidably mounted in said bore anda spring-clip mounted insaid bore in rear of the lead and having divergent arms adapted toalternately engage the slidable body-sections, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

14. An improved pencil, comprising a body formed of sections relativelyslidable with respect to each other and having a bore and guideways', alead or graphite strip slidably mounted in said bore, a spring-cliphaving arms adapted to engage said sliding sections in their advancingsliding movement, and entering said guideways.

15. An improved pencil, comprising a body made up of sections relativelyslidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a lead orgraphite strip slidably mounted in said bore, said sections beingprovided with guidegrooves which intersect said bore, and a spring-cliparranged in the bore and rearwardly of the lead and having arms adaptedto engage the body-sections and received by and guided in said grooves.

16. An improved pencil, comprising a body made up of sections relativelyslidable and reciprocating with respect to each other and having a bore,a lead or graphite strip slid ably mounted in said bore, means foradvancing said lead in the outward movement of the reciprocatingbody-section, and means for limiting the return stroke of saidreciprocating body-section with respect to the normal relative positionof said body-section.

17. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of biseetionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, theupper body-section havinga reciprocating movement, a lead or graphitestrip slidably mounted in said bore, means carried in the bore andoperated on the advancing stroke of said reciprocating body-section toadvance the lead, and means carried by the under section to limitthe'return stroke of said recip rocating body-section at its normalposition.

18. An improved lead-pencil, comprising a body formed of sectionsrelatively slidable with respect to each other and having a bore, a leador graphite strip slidably mounted within said bore, means for advancingthe lead by the sliding action of the body-section, and means carried bysaid body-section for conjointly closing said bore and limiting thereturn stroke of the sliding body-section.

19. An improved pencil, comprising a body formed of sections slidablewith respect to each other and having a bore, a lead or graphite stripslidably mounted in said bore, means contained within the bore andoperated bythe slidable body-section in its advancing movement toadvance the lead, and means carried by the body-section for partiallyclos ing and partially cleaning the bore during the sliding movement,substantially as shown and described.

20. In a pencil of the class described, abody formed of longitudinalbisections slidably mounted with respect to each other and having abore, and means for retaining said rela-, tivelysliding body-sections inconnection during their sliding movement, in combination with a lead orgraphite strip slidably mounted in said bore and normally retained byfrictional pressure between said body-sections by action of theconnection means, and

means for advancing said lead against its against the lead strip, meansfor engaging frictional resistance by the sliding action of and movingsaid latter means by the advance the body-sections. movement of thesliding body-sections.

21. As an improved article of manufacture, In testimony that I claim theforegoing as I 5 5 a lead-pencil having its body formed oflonmyinvention I have signed my name, in presgitudinal bisectionsrelatively slidable with ence of the subscribing witnesses, this 2d dayrespect to each other and forming conjointly of February, 1900.

a longitudinal bore, the front end of said body PAUL ALTHOUSE HAGY.being pointed or tapered, a lead or graphite Witnesses: V 1o stripslidably mounted Within said bore, GEORGE S. WHITNER,

means contained within the bore and bearing LEVI QUIER.

